Atlanta failure is spur for British Olympians

Graeme Randall leads a British Olympic squad determined to wipe out the enduring memory of Atlanta four years ago, when, for the first time since the sport was included in the Games, there was not one British medal.

Graeme Randall leads a British Olympic squad determined to wipe out the enduring memory of Atlanta four years ago, when, for the first time since the sport was included in the Games, there was not one British medal.

"Our target is one medal but there are quite a few who have real chances," said Udo Quellmalz, the British team performance director, himself a gold medallist (for Germany) in Atlanta.

Karina Bryant, the European heavyweight champion, has been in exceptional form, defending her title and winning two recent internationals with big throws. The lightweight, Cheryle Peel, and featherweight, Debbie Allan, have both won all their matches this year and will be difficult to beat.

There is also the middleweight, Kate Howey, and light-middleweight, Karen Roberts, who both won bronzes at the World Championships at Birmingham in October.

"The women's team is better prepared than it has ever been," said Diane Bell, their manager.

"We are ready to peak in September," said Howey, for whom Sydney will be her third Olympics.

The only question mark is over the world light middleweight champion, Randall, who has not fought in a competition since winning in the Netherlands six months ago.